September 26, 2025: The EU has finalized a trade deal with Indonesia that includes access to raw materials such as nickel and cobalt vital to Europe’s battery manufacturing sector.

Under the terms of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, announced on September 23 after a decade of negotiations, the EU said manufacturers across a variety of sectors, including battery-related industries, will enjoy stability and predictability on access to raw materials.

According to the deal, both sides agreed to conduct environmental impact assessments that will ensure mining operations do not have adverse effects on the environment. However, details were not disclosed.

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said a stable and predictable supply of critical raw materials was essential for Europe’s clean tech and steel industry.

The agreement came just days after EU leaders were warned the battery industry was facing a ‘moment of truth’ in terms of future investment and support.

The EU is racing to protect the bloc’s nascent EV battery industry from being overrun by global competitors — as reported by Batteries International earlier in September.

Indonesia kick-started construction of an EV battery ‘mega project’ in West Java in July, backed by a combined investment worth around $6 billion.

President Prabowo Subianto attended the ceremonial launch of the project in Karawang, which he said would incorporate battery materials production, battery manufacturing and recycling, nickel mining and processing.